The 24th Meeting of the Prosecutors General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States was held in Kazan, Russia, on Oct 1. The meeting focused on multiple themes such as safeguarding traditional family values and preventing the spread of illegal content among minors. It brought together more than 20 delegations from the procuratorial organs of SCO member states, observer states and dialogue partners, as well as from the SCO Secretariat and the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.
Entrusted by Ying Yong, Prosecutor General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) of China, Shi Weizhong, Deputy Prosecutor General of China's SPP, attended the meeting and shared China's experience in juvenile prosecution. He said that Chinese procuratorial organs stand ready to work with all parties to continuously strengthen dialogue and exchanges, further deepen pragmatic cooperation, and learn from each other's experience in legislation, law enforcement and the administration of justice, so as to jointly safeguard the healthy growth of minors.
Shi noted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China's juvenile procuratorial work. He said China has always attached great importance to the protection of minors and has formulated and periodically revised laws such as the Law on the Protection of Minors and the Law on the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency, forming a robust legal system for the protection of minors.
Shi stated that China has also established the principle of the best interests of minors and built a comprehensive "six-aspect protection" system covering families, schools, society, the internet, the government, and the judiciary.
Shi said that Chinese procuratorial organs have adhered to the principle of "education first, punishment subsidiary," enhanced the awareness that "prevention means protection, and punishment also serves rehabilitation," and carried out targeted assistance and education throughout case handling to maximize opportunities for educating and reforming juveniles involved in delinquency.
He stressed that Chinese procuratorial organs have upheld a zero-tolerance approach to crimes against minors, severely punished such crimes, and provided care and assistance to minor victims. They have comprehensively performed their duties in criminal, civil, administrative and public interest procuratorial work to enhance judicial protection for minors in all respects, Shi added.
Based on their procuratorial functions, Chinese procuratorial organs have promoted concerted efforts under the six-aspect protection framework and pursued both immediate and long-term solutions to improve social governance for minor protection, he noted.
Following the meeting, minutes were signed by representatives of all SCO member states.
